Books Unbanned

Books Unbanned is a United States library program that issues library cards nationwide from regional libraries in order to give electronic access to the library's digital and audio collections to teens and young adults living in U.S. locations where books are being challenged. Initially established by the Brooklyn Public Library, it was created in response to a wave of book challenges against schools and libraries in 2021 and now encompasses five libraries across the United States.

History

Efforts to censor teenage access to books in the United States swelled in 2021 after a video of a parent at a Fairfax County School Board meeting demanding removal of the graphic novel Gender Queer from the high school library went viral.[1] Afterward, libraries and classrooms across the US became targets of coordinated campaigns frequently led or funded by right-wing activists.[2][3][4][5]

In April 2022, the Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) introduced the Books Unbanned program in response to the movement, offering free BPL ecards to teens and young adults aged 13 to 21 anywhere in the US.[2] Teens apply to get an ecard through email or the library-run Instagram account.[6][7][8][9] By January 2023, 6,000 teenagers had requested cards through the BPL's Books Unbanned program and 52,000 books had been checked out.[10]

On April 27, 2023, the Seattle Public Library joined the Books Unbanned initiative,[11] making it the second library system to participate. Seattle's ecard is for teens and young adults aged 13 to 26.[12] In October 2023, in honor of Banned Books Week, the program expanded to three more libraries: Boston Public Library,[13] LA County Library,[14] and San Diego Public Library.[15]

Participants
Library Date Joined Ages Served Locations Served
Brooklyn Public Library April 2022 13-21 USA
Seattle Public Library April 27, 2023[12] 13-26 USA
Boston Public Library October 2023[16] 13-26 USA
LA County Library October 2023[17] 13-18 California
San Diego Public Library October 2023[17] 12-26 USA

Impact

In August 2022, a teacher in Oklahoma was put on administrative leave after posting the QR code for BPL's Books Unbanned in her classroom.[18][19] The Oklahoma Secretary of Education called to have her teaching license revoked.[18] The teacher subsequently resigned and, several months later, accepted a job with the Brooklyn Public Library.[10]

Awards

References
  1. Mencimer, Stephanie. "How one mom launched a porn panic that helped the GOP take Virginia". Mother Jones. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  2. Peet, Lisa. "Unbanning Books: LJ's 2023 Librarians of the Year". Library Journal. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  3. Rahman, Khaleda (2022-11-03). "Moms for Liberty banned book list—The novels they want taken out of schools". Newsweek. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  4. Harris, Elizabeth A.; Alter, Alexandra (2022-12-12). "A Fast-Growing Network of Conservative Groups Is Fueling a Surge in Book Bans". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  5. "'A streak of extremism': US book bans may increase in 2023". the Guardian. 2022-12-24. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  6. "Books Unbanned". www.bklynlibrary.org. 2022-04-05. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  7. "Brooklyn Public Library's "Books Unbanned" program aims to provide young people with access to censored literature". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  8. "Brooklyn Public Library Now Offers Free Access to Banned Books for Young People Nationwide". Seventeen. 2022-05-10. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  9. Brooklyn Public Library (April 14, 2022). "BKLYN Teens on Instagram". Instagram. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  10. Barron, James (2023-01-04). "Brooklyn Library's 'Books Unbanned' Team Wins Accolade". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  11. Álvarez, Gustavo Sagrero (2023-04-27). "Seattle joins effort to give young readers access to banned books". KUOW. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
  12. "Foundation supports freedom to read with "Books Unbanned" e-card for young people – The Seattle Public Library Foundation". Retrieved 2023-04-28.
  13. "Books Unbanned". www.bpl.org. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  14. "LA County 'books unbanned' card offers CA teens unrestricted access to all digital books". ABC7 Los Angeles. 2023-10-03. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  15. "San Diego's Books Unbanned protects the freedom to read". libraryfoundationsd.org. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  16. "Boston Public Library opens e-book access to teens across US - CBS Boston". www.cbsnews.com. 2023-09-28. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  17. Community (2023-10-02). "Two California Library Systems Join in Granting Free Access to Banned Books for Young Readers". BOOK RIOT. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  18. Martinez-Keel, Nuria. "This Oklahoma teacher helped students get banned books. An official wants her license revoked". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  19. Newsource, C. N. N. (2022-08-24). "An Oklahoma teacher says she resigned over a state law requiring teachers to censor books in classroom libraries". KION546. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  20. Visram, Talib (May 2, 2023). "Why the Brooklyn Public Library is providing 500,000 books to teens around the U.S." Fast Company. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
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